Contract numbers on Tampa Bay rookies

Summary of 2 articles · Updated May 17, 2013

But here’s a look at the deals that have been given to Tampa Bay’s rookies so far: The Colts started rookies out of necessity. Coach Bruce Arians isn’t afraid to play rookies, players he believes are better prepared than ever before. According to the Elia… (more)s Sports Bureau, NFL rookies started 707 games in 2008, and the number has increased steadily since, to 772 in 2009, to 865 in 2010, to 921 in 2011 and to 998 last year. The Cardinals were 15th with 32 rookie starts, and the Colts, where Arians was the offensive coordinator and interim coach, had 55 last season.

Rookies no longer have to wait for their turn

For years, NFL coaches thought most rookies should be neither seen nor heard on game days. Less experience meant more mistakes which meant a greater chance that coaches would be fired. But times are changing. For a variety of factors, rookies are far mo…